صلة الرحم توسع الآجال وتنمي الأموال

Visiting one’s relatives prolongs life and increases wealth.

Islam has emphasized the value of keeping in touch with family members and this has been confirmed by contemporary studies.

إن اليوم عمل ولا حساب وغدا حساب ولا عمل

Today there are deeds and no judgment, and tomorrow there will be judgment and no deeds.

The Imam is drawing our attention to the opportunity we have been given in this world to prepare for the afterlife. Once we die, we don’t have it anymore and the only thing we have in the afterlife is judgment of our deeds, whether good or bad.

عاودوا الكر واستحيوا من الفر فإنه عار في الأعقاب ونار في يوم الحساب

Repeat attack, and be ashamed of running away. Because your offspring will be dishonored by your fleeing and you will be punished in the judgment day.

This quote was part of a sermon in the battle of Siffin.

Imam Ali (A.S.) who is famous for his legendary bravery and gallantry was trying to instill them into his soldiers and warriors during this battle.

لا تنظر إلى من قال وأنظر إلى ما قال

Don’t look at who said, rather, look at what he said.

Islam is in the process of building better individuals. And to do that, those individuals should be open-minded and receptive to advice. This is the topic of this quote.

The Imam is telling us to seek wisdom and advice regardless of its source. To be impartial, objective and thoughtful when reading or listening to words from others, even if they are our enemies.

Likewise, having an emotional bias towards someone doesn’t necessarily make his words authentic or wise. Here too, a Muslim should think without prejudice and weigh what is being said, in order to filter right from wrong.

البلاغة أن تجيب فلا تبطي وتصيب فلا تخطي

Eloquence is about answering without hesitation and striking (the meaning) without a miss.

كم من صعب يسهل بالرفق

Many tough problems are overcome by leniency.

The Imam is telling us that life’s challenges and issues require good judgement and wise decisions, and using force against force could well be counter-productive. You can tackle hard situations in a soft manner, and you can solve a complicated puzzle in a simple way.

الصدقة في السر من أفضل البر

Almsgiving in secret is the best form of charity.

الحياء زينة الفتاة

Modesty is a girl’s adornment.

أفضل المعروف إغاثة الملهوف

The best favor done to others is saving those who are desperate.

سل عن الرفيق قبل الطريق

Ask about the companion before you travel

It is essential before you travel to know who will travel with you. If your travel companion is experienced and well-mannered you will enjoy his company and reach your destination safely. If he was the opposite of that, your trip will be hard and dangerous.

Likewise, your spiritual journey to Allah which takes a lifetime and is more important, requires careful choosing of your travel guide. In this case he is called master, teacher, guru, or shaikh. If he was an experienced and compassionate spiritual guide, you’ll safely reach spiritual perfection. Otherwise, you are in danger of losing the way and might end up in hell.